The Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance is hosting a community fishing day on February 15th.
The “Hook, Fish, and Learn” event hopes to provide attendees with a chance to try ice fishing for the first time, engage with some experienced anglers for tips, and learn a little bit about the science behind the alliance’s lake monitoring program.
Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance Education Outreach Coordinator Adanna Hustler says her organization was strategic in choosing Family Day long weekend for the event, as the Government of Alberta does not require anglers to possess a fishing license while on the lakes. Additionally, fishing gear will be provided for beginners looking to give ice fishing a shot for the first time.
“No licenses necessary on Family Fishing Weekend, so anyone is welcome to come because there are no fishing licenses needed, you don’t have to pay, so it makes it very accessible for folks who might not want to get a license,” she says. “All people need to bring is maybe a chair, some extra clothes, and a good attitude.”
Hustler adds that one of the main goals of the event is education. She says water monitoring will be ongoing during the occasion, giving participants an inside look into what work is being done to ensure Alberta’s lakes are healthy.
“You can try ice fishing, learn about the fish, regulations, and some lake science with our monitoring program,” she says. “That way folks can see some of our science that we do, and our monitoring across the province.”
The alliance will also be looking for volunteers for the water monitoring program during the event, so participants can not only learn about the science behind it but also get involved directly.
“We’re hoping this event will get people outdoors, onto the lakes, and we hope to foster some stewardship and appreciation for our lakes,” she says. “We’ll show people how we take our samples, it’s usually a volunteer-run program so we’ll also be looking for some volunteers to help us run this program.”
“It’ll be good to get people out there and just know that this stuff is monitored, and we want to show that our lakes are healthy.”
The event is scheduled for February 15th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Young’s Point Provincial Park.
